The African Union Development Agency – New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Meta Inc at the NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat office in Nairobi, Kenya. This describes a collaborative effort to boost Africa’s digital landscape forward and materialize the objectives outlined in Agenda 2063, the African Union’s blueprint for a prosperous and united continent.

 Memorandum Signing Between AUDA-NEPAD and META inc. at the NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat Office in Nairobi Kenya. 

Speaking during the Ceremony, The Chief Executive Officer, AUDA-NEPAD, H.E Nardos Bekele-Thomas emphasized the critical importance of the partnership in generating Africa’s digital revolution. The AU Digital Transformation Strategy, built on pillars of enabling environment, digital infrastructure, skills development, and innovation, sets the stage for a comprehensive overhaul of Africa’s digital ecosystem.

The MoU with Meta underscores a commitment to four key areas among them:

1. Digital Infrastructure Development: Addressing the foundational need for robust digital infrastructure to support Africa’s burgeoning digital economy.
2. AI Policy Development and Strategies: Formulating policies and strategies to harness the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for sustainable development.
3. AI and Data for Social Impact: Leveraging data-driven insights and AI technologies to address pressing social challenges across Africa.
4. Capacity Building and Skills Development: Empowering Africa’s workforce with the requisite skills for the digital age through training and capacity-building initiatives.

A highlight of the partnership is Meta’s ‘Data for Good’ initiative, aimed at supporting member states in harnessing the power of data for positive social impact. Through capacity building and innovative data applications, this initiative seeks to amplify the developmental efforts of AUDA-NEPAD across various sectors.

The partnership between AUDA-NEPAD and Meta Inc. heralds a new era of possibilities. With a focus on inclusive development, innovation, and capacity building, the collaboration is poised to unlock Africa’s vast potential in the global digital landscape.

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